Electrical conduit fitting



Oct: 12, 1926. 1,603,039

0. A. FREDERICKSON ELECTRICAL CONDUIT FITTING Filed May 51 1923 {39.7

Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

UNITED STATES- V 1,603,039 PATENT. OFFICE.

OTTO A. FBEDERICKSON, OF WETHERSFIELD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERI- CAN WIREMOLD COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON- N ECTICUT.

Application filed May 31,

This invention relates to those structures which are provided for enclosing electric circuit wires in buildings, and moreparticularly to the ornamental type of such structures which comprise a metallic base that is designed to be secured in place on the wall or ceiling of a building, and a sheet metal cap that is adapted to be sprung onto the base to form the enclosing Wire-channel.

These conduits have straight running-sections of different capacities for different numbers of wires, and elbows for bends which may be flat on a ceiling or horizontal surface, or around the outside'o'f a corner or inside of a corner of a wall or vertical surface. 'The ends of the running-sections are engaged with the bases of the elbows and the elbow caps are sprung over the ends of the running caps and ontotheelbow bases when the installation is ready for service.

The object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, ornamental and easily manipulated construction for the elbow caps of such conduits whereby the elbow caps are readily adaptable to running caps of different depths.

This object is attained by making elbow bases and elbow caps of a single size having a capacity that will receive the largest desireo number of wires, and forming at the ends of the elbow caps tongues which are bent inward so as to fit the small size running caps and close the openings at the joints, but which tongues may be readily broken off by any installer when necessary so that the elbow caps will fit the large size running caps, and thereby eliminate the necessity of manufacturing and keeping in stock and transporting different sizes of elbow caps.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows the ends of two running-sectionsof conduit connected by an elbow section constructed according to this invention, with a portion broken away to show the manner.

of making the joints between the elbow and a running-section of small size. Fig. 2-is a transverse section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the ends of two running-sections of conduit connected by an elbow section with a portion broken away to show the joint between the elbow and a running-section of large size. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on ELECTRICAL CONDUIT FITTING.

1923. Serial No. 642.536.

tongue bentto position occupied when the i i V elbow is to be used with a small size running cap. Fig. 8 is a plan View of what is shown in Fig. 7.

The running-sections of the conduit illus- Fig. 7 is a view trated comprise a metal base strip 10 and a.

metal cap 11 which cap-is stamped or rolled to channel shape of sheet metal that is usually somewhat lighter-than the metal oi.

the base strip. 'The cap is suitably finished onythe exterior and its. edges are so formed firmly together and form a rigid conduit.

.The running caps shown in Figs. 1 and 2 while of substantially the same cross-secthat they will snap over and clamp the edges of thebase strip in order to hold the parts tional configuration, are somewhat less in depth than are the running caps illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the larger size being used when more conduit wires are to be covered than can be conveniently accommodated in the smaller size.

The elbow is formed of an angular base strip 12 of relatively stifl metal and an angular channel shaped cap 13 stamped or folded to shape of metal thinner than the base strip. The elbow cap has substantially the same cross-sectional configuration and desirably has the same exterior finish as the running caps, and its edges are shaped to spring onto the edges of the elbow base and hold it in position. The elbow cap is made of a. sufficient depth to receive the large size running caps. At the middle of each end of the elbow cap and integrally formed there with is a tongue 14 the side edges of which are shaped to fit the interior of the side walls of the elbow cap while the end edge is shaped to fit the exterior wall ofthe top of the small size running caps.

. loo

In installing these conduits the elbow base I is secured in position and the ends of the running-sections engaged therewith by passing the ends of the running bases over the ends of the elbow base and passing the edges of the ends of the running caps around the edges of the elbow base. The elbow cap is then snapped in position on its base and over the ends of the running caps. If the running caps are of small size the tongues at the ends of the elbow cap are bent inward, as illustrated in F 7, and preferably they are thus furnished the installer by the manu lacturer, so that the gaps between the top of the running caps and the top of the elbow cap will be closed, as illustrated in F1- gs. l. and 2. Should the running caps be of large size the tongues at the ends of the elbow cap are broken ofi so that the elbow cap will lit the large size running caps closely when snapped to position, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and l.

By the employment of the improvment herein described it is only necessary to furnish one size of elbow for both large and small size running-sections, the tongues at the ends of the elbow caps adding a very small percentage to the cost, thus making unnecessary the production of two difierent sizes of elbow caps with the incident expense to the manufacturer, and the necessity of carrying, both by the manufacturer and installer, elbow caps of two different sizes. The tongues formed at the ends-of the elbow caps in the manner described are left bent in so as to close the gaps at the ends ot the elbows when the smaller size of running to be applied to the base, said cap at its end having an integral tongue that extends inwardly toward but not to the base strip, leaving an opening that is of sutlicient size to receive a small size conduit, and said tongue being partially separated from the cap whereby it may be broken away to produce an opening of sufiicient size to receive a large size conduit.

2. A cap for an electrical conduit fitting,

said cap being trough-shaped in cross section and having at an end a tongue extend ing inwardly from its front face and leaving an opening into the end of the cap shaped to receive a conduit of one cross sectional area, said tongue being normally connected with the cap by metal of less resistance whereby it may be removed leaving an opening shaped to receive a conduit of larger cross sectional area.

OTTO A. FREDERICKSON. 

